Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-23

His Book ON the War.
TIE MIN WHO REALLY SAVED THE uNuox-lFF
"FULLET-HRAps" NOT THE REAL uERoEs-srArUI
RAISED 10 WRONG nRs

His Book On the War.
TEE MIN WHO REALLY SAVED The uNox-sHH
"FULLkT-WADs" NOT THE RKAI uxRoEs-~rArUu
RAISED 10 WRONG nRs
STAR reporter had talk to-day with COL Dom
Piatt the former editor OF the ozpaaI now stop-
ping at ChambarlinS after many years abeepce
rom washington respecting his late advent into
new sphere OF literature. The Colopels book.
entitled "Memories OF the Men Who saved the
Union" had preceded him, and created no utrle
excitement especially among military men The
late editor carries into book making the same
characteristics which made him noted as A journal
Isl, and Whist these are we need not remind the
people OF Washington whether Col piatt has a
judicial mind or not (he was once on the bench IA
ohiob he certainly Is not possessed OF judicial
turn In his work as editor or author. OF at all
judicial in his STYLE Either from force OF habit orr
partisan nature, II seems impossible for him tI'
see but one side, and that is his own side or 10 t\
patient under any attempt 70 prove 10 him that
The purpose OF the book he has published f. IA
Its objective point proper one, and that is u
call attention 10 the great minds civil life thal
that government seemed being wrecked saved ID
from destruction In the admiration an armed
conflict calls out for fierce captains, the really
great on the civil side. the quiet able statesmca
who guided Affairs and controlled the elements 10
our good are almost forgotten. The author seeks
10 correct this neglect. and he is entitled 20 the
credit or being the FIRST In the late revival OF war
literature, 20 attempt such necessary work IL isN
pity that us pages fun OF historical facts and
graphic sketches OF leading men, should be married.
10y bitterness at times that actually seems nang-
nant.
It was with reflections such as these that the
reporter sought the colonel, 10 hear from his own
lips an account OF his work and a defense OF its
shortcomings DOM has not changed much since
his retreat from here, now some ten years since,
save that he is thinner and his heard has further
dash or white In It. He ..enJoys bad health" as
country folk say, and thinks that ne is an invalid
ran tsxOr haxa
turned author, and succeeded I'm again disturbing
the circles, squares and reservations Of Washing
ton. Why can't you keep quiet?"
81 don't know, my boy" he replied. 81 suppose
I ought to apologize, but really could not help IL
yival OF war literature Long before had noted,
with much disgust, the bunet-heads' as the great
Hawthorne calls them, carrying on the political
honorS, and now a host OF pen-drivers have
swarmed In TO give the men-kiilers literary immor-
tality. 1 stood this long as could, and then
penned my protest Ihad seen with my own eyes,
and treasured the memory of my seeing In my
heart, the real heroes OF that perious time. They
were the men who made the Government at WASH
ington during the four years of that war"
"But, colonel" interrupted our reporter, "the
lighting had TO be done. and they who old It should
certainly" replied the author, 'but that hight.
ing was but a small part OF the business II was
an armed contest between twenty-five millions
against ten; OF accumulated wealth against a
sparse population that had neither arms stores,
manufactures TO make either; OF an old we'll
established government against a new political
credit Had It been only the lighting, Wa
could have ended IL in ninety days; but
what We had % fear and provide against
was first, the dSloyal sentiment al the north and
the foreign interference IRON Europe. Lincoln, a
minority president, unpopular with his own
party-old conservative whigs-who distrustsd
the abolitionists cranks, sustained by Chase,
Seward and stanton with high courage. the truest
patriotism and an ability the country never Wit
messed before, with killing anxiety and patient,
effort held the Government and the country to It's
wora until victory crowned his efforts. In these
grand labors one great obstacle I'm the way was
the laundering mbecility In the field OF the very
men 10 whom we are building monuments while
the real heroes are passing unhonored out or
sight We are getting laughed at the world over
Tor our infatuated absurdity. Why, here at the
national capital, at every turn We md epau-
lctted figure, as IL we were war power with great
campaigns 10 gather honors from. And this, while,
with The exception OF Lincoln, there is not a
bronze or marble statue TO the Statesmen OF our
one perilous trial.
''There is much TRUTH colonel In what you say.
but, cur1ously enough, the one eulogy OF your
book that has in IL no faint OF cyniclsm or saT-
caSm is that devoted TO Thomas"
"feS confess that" responded Col Piatt, "and
the man was so Stngularly perfect such striking
contrast to those about him. that ones love colors
and warns ones admiration. Thomas towers a
head and shoulders above his associates not only
In ability but purity OF character. He was not
only grand man but q perfect gentleman. He IL
so far above all the mean, petty Jealousies and
fntngues OF the selfish creatures about him that
he leaves not only his great victories for us 70
commemorate, but his character and career a
models to the young men OF our country